Watford ended this year with a win and they will look to start 2013 in identical fashion when they face Charlton Athletic at Vicarage Road tomorrow as they seek to further strengthen their grip on a top-six place.

The Hornets will go into the game without Fitz Hall, who sustained a hamstring injury towards the end of the first half of Saturday’s 3-1 victory at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Speaking this lunchtime, head coach Gianfranco Zola said: “It’s not as bad as we thought it could be. It will keep him out for maybe a couple of weeks, we don’t know yet.”

Apart from Lloyd Doyley, who is still working his way back to match fitness following his injury lay-off, Zola has a fully fit squad to choose from and also has Marco Cassetti available again after he missed the Seagulls win through suspension.

However, the Hornets boss says he has yet to decide whether to make changes for his side’s first home game of the new year.

“I don’t know to be honest,” he replied when asked if he would alter his team. “It is an option I have, I don’t know whether I’m going to use it or not. I will decide tomorrow.”

Chris Powell’s outfit come to Vicarage Road on the back of a six-game winless run but Zola is not reading too much into that sequence.

“I don’t trust those results,” he said. “This Championship is always very tricky so it’s not necessarily a good thing they haven’t won in the last six. I know they will be focused, they will cause us problems so we will have to be at our best if we want to win.

“We want to start the new year in the same good shape because, as we said the other day, if we want to consolidate the position that we have achieved we need to keep taking advantage of the home games and winning them.”

Already it looks like Fitz's injury prone tag is justified. However under the old regime we would be struggling, but now we have some good cover at the back and it's not a problem. With such depth to this squad, this could be the time of year where we start rolling over teams. The best thing about this squad is the fact that they're not all 'like for like' players and everyone has something different to bring to the team...even the centerbacks

Already it looks like Fitz's injury prone tag is justified. However under the old regime we would be struggling, but now we have some good cover at the back and it's not a problem. With such depth to this squad, this could be the time of year where we start rolling over teams. The best thing about this squad is the fact that they're not all 'like for like' players and everyone has something different to bring to the team...even the centerbacksgoldanboy

Fitz Hall has been immense, old regime he would have been risked.. This is the beauty of our squad!! We can rest key players and then they are fully recouperated for when needed.. For the Thousandth time... Thank you Pozzo family...

Fitz Hall has been immense, old regime he would have been risked.. This is the beauty of our squad!! We can rest key players and then they are fully recouperated for when needed.. For the Thousandth time... Thank you Pozzo family...Hampshire hornet

Chalobah picked up a knock on Saturday so expect Eustace to be given a run out

[quote][p][bold]Holly68[/bold] wrote:
I expect this to be the team tomorrow :
Almunia
Hoban
Ekstrand
Neuton
Cassetti
Abdi
Eustace
Hogg
Pudil
Deeney
Vydra
Subs :
Bond
Nosworthy
Battochio
FF
Geijo
MBia
Murray
Expect lots of changes for Man City[/p][/quote]Chalobah picked up a knock on Saturday so expect Eustace to be given a run outHolly68

Chalobah picked up a knock on Saturday so expect Eustace to be given a run out

Agreed. Chalobah, Vydra and Deeney all rested with a view to getting them back in for City. Those three are fundamental to the counter-attacking game we'll have to play at the Etihad, and Fessi can better open up teams at home.

I personally don't mind Ekstrand, Hoban and Neuton together either. Hall's a big miss, but the back three he leaves behind are all quick and very capable.

The difference in depth between this season and last is unbelievable.

[quote][p][bold]Holly68[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Holly68[/bold] wrote:
I expect this to be the team tomorrow :
Almunia
Hoban
Ekstrand
Neuton
Cassetti
Abdi
Eustace
Hogg
Pudil
Deeney
Vydra
Subs :
Bond
Nosworthy
Battochio
FF
Geijo
MBia
Murray
Expect lots of changes for Man City[/p][/quote]Chalobah picked up a knock on Saturday so expect Eustace to be given a run out[/p][/quote]Agreed. Chalobah, Vydra and Deeney all rested with a view to getting them back in for City. Those three are fundamental to the counter-attacking game we'll have to play at the Etihad, and Fessi can better open up teams at home.
I personally don't mind Ekstrand, Hoban and Neuton together either. Hall's a big miss, but the back three he leaves behind are all quick and very capable.
The difference in depth between this season and last is unbelievable.JohnnyBarnes

Chalobah picked up a knock on Saturday so expect Eustace to be given a run out

Eustace on the bench with Yeates in for Chalobah.

[quote][p][bold]Holly68[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Holly68[/bold] wrote:
I expect this to be the team tomorrow :
Almunia
Hoban
Ekstrand
Neuton
Cassetti
Abdi
Eustace
Hogg
Pudil
Deeney
Vydra
Subs :
Bond
Nosworthy
Battochio
FF
Geijo
MBia
Murray
Expect lots of changes for Man City[/p][/quote]Chalobah picked up a knock on Saturday so expect Eustace to be given a run out[/p][/quote]Eustace on the bench with Yeates in for Chalobah.AngelHornet

I expect the only changes to be Cassetti for Anya and Neuton for Hall.
Maybe Nosworthy and Murray may make bench and hopefully feature for the last 30 mins along with either Geijo or Forestieri!
For me Vydra and Deeney are our best front two for scoring goals and we should look to keep that partnership going!
Must win game as this could be the start of us pulling away from 7th place and catching up on 2nd/3rd/4th as Hull, Boro and Cardiff are all away!
Happy New Year everyone and come on you Orns!

I expect the only changes to be Cassetti for Anya and Neuton for Hall.
Maybe Nosworthy and Murray may make bench and hopefully feature for the last 30 mins along with either Geijo or Forestieri!
For me Vydra and Deeney are our best front two for scoring goals and we should look to keep that partnership going!
Must win game as this could be the start of us pulling away from 7th place and catching up on 2nd/3rd/4th as Hull, Boro and Cardiff are all away!
Happy New Year everyone and come on you Orns!DuffmanWFC

DuffmanWFC wrote:
I expect the only changes to be Cassetti for Anya and Neuton for Hall.
Maybe Nosworthy and Murray may make bench and hopefully feature for the last 30 mins along with either Geijo or Forestieri!
For me Vydra and Deeney are our best front two for scoring goals and we should look to keep that partnership going!
Must win game as this could be the start of us pulling away from 7th place and catching up on 2nd/3rd/4th as Hull, Boro and Cardiff are all away!
Happy New Year everyone and come on you Orns!

Bang on

[quote][p][bold]DuffmanWFC[/bold] wrote:
I expect the only changes to be Cassetti for Anya and Neuton for Hall.
Maybe Nosworthy and Murray may make bench and hopefully feature for the last 30 mins along with either Geijo or Forestieri!
For me Vydra and Deeney are our best front two for scoring goals and we should look to keep that partnership going!
Must win game as this could be the start of us pulling away from 7th place and catching up on 2nd/3rd/4th as Hull, Boro and Cardiff are all away!
Happy New Year everyone and come on you Orns![/p][/quote]Bang onHolly68

DuffmanWFC wrote:
I expect the only changes to be Cassetti for Anya and Neuton for Hall.
Maybe Nosworthy and Murray may make bench and hopefully feature for the last 30 mins along with either Geijo or Forestieri!
For me Vydra and Deeney are our best front two for scoring goals and we should look to keep that partnership going!
Must win game as this could be the start of us pulling away from 7th place and catching up on 2nd/3rd/4th as Hull, Boro and Cardiff are all away!
Happy New Year everyone and come on you Orns!

[quote][p][bold]DuffmanWFC[/bold] wrote:
I expect the only changes to be Cassetti for Anya and Neuton for Hall.
Maybe Nosworthy and Murray may make bench and hopefully feature for the last 30 mins along with either Geijo or Forestieri!
For me Vydra and Deeney are our best front two for scoring goals and we should look to keep that partnership going!
Must win game as this could be the start of us pulling away from 7th place and catching up on 2nd/3rd/4th as Hull, Boro and Cardiff are all away!
Happy New Year everyone and come on you Orns![/p][/quote]Team for Man City
Bond
Nosworthy
Thompson
Doyley
Eustace
Yeats
Battochio
Anaya
Murray
FF
GeijoHolly68

DuffmanWFC wrote:
I expect the only changes to be Cassetti for Anya and Neuton for Hall.
Maybe Nosworthy and Murray may make bench and hopefully feature for the last 30 mins along with either Geijo or Forestieri!
For me Vydra and Deeney are our best front two for scoring goals and we should look to keep that partnership going!
Must win game as this could be the start of us pulling away from 7th place and catching up on 2nd/3rd/4th as Hull, Boro and Cardiff are all away!
Happy New Year everyone and come on you Orns!

You must off had too many bottles of champagne to come up with that line up!

[quote][p][bold]Holly68[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]DuffmanWFC[/bold] wrote:
I expect the only changes to be Cassetti for Anya and Neuton for Hall.
Maybe Nosworthy and Murray may make bench and hopefully feature for the last 30 mins along with either Geijo or Forestieri!
For me Vydra and Deeney are our best front two for scoring goals and we should look to keep that partnership going!
Must win game as this could be the start of us pulling away from 7th place and catching up on 2nd/3rd/4th as Hull, Boro and Cardiff are all away!
Happy New Year everyone and come on you Orns![/p][/quote]Team for Man City
Bond
Nosworthy
Thompson
Doyley
Eustace
Yeats
Battochio
Anaya
Murray
FF
Geijo[/p][/quote]You must off had too many bottles of champagne to come up with that line up!Travelling Hornet

goldanboy wrote:
Yea I expect FF to play tomorrow. Rather amusing comment on the official Charlton website.
&quot;Watford are no pushovers...unless there's a slight contact in the penalty area".

Thanks Goldan, - would like to think that is more to do with the soft pens against, rather than for.

With humour like this - keep it coming please.

Happy New Year to all who support the 'orns.

[quote][p][bold]goldanboy[/bold] wrote:
Yea I expect FF to play tomorrow. Rather amusing comment on the official Charlton website.
"Watford are no pushovers...unless there's a slight contact in the penalty area".[/p][/quote]Thanks Goldan, - would like to think that is more to do with the soft pens against, rather than for.
With humour like this - keep it coming please.
Happy New Year to all who support the 'orns.gloryhornet4

DuffmanWFC wrote:
I expect the only changes to be Cassetti for Anya and Neuton for Hall.
Maybe Nosworthy and Murray may make bench and hopefully feature for the last 30 mins along with either Geijo or Forestieri!
For me Vydra and Deeney are our best front two for scoring goals and we should look to keep that partnership going!
Must win game as this could be the start of us pulling away from 7th place and catching up on 2nd/3rd/4th as Hull, Boro and Cardiff are all away!
Happy New Year everyone and come on you Orns!

You must off had too many bottles of champagne to come up with that line up!

Agree if you put that team out against Man City you might as well stay at home. We have 6000 fans going to the game Zola is not going to put out a second string.

[quote][p][bold]Travelling Hornet[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Holly68[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]DuffmanWFC[/bold] wrote:
I expect the only changes to be Cassetti for Anya and Neuton for Hall.
Maybe Nosworthy and Murray may make bench and hopefully feature for the last 30 mins along with either Geijo or Forestieri!
For me Vydra and Deeney are our best front two for scoring goals and we should look to keep that partnership going!
Must win game as this could be the start of us pulling away from 7th place and catching up on 2nd/3rd/4th as Hull, Boro and Cardiff are all away!
Happy New Year everyone and come on you Orns![/p][/quote]Team for Man City
Bond
Nosworthy
Thompson
Doyley
Eustace
Yeats
Battochio
Anaya
Murray
FF
Geijo[/p][/quote]You must off had too many bottles of champagne to come up with that line up![/p][/quote]Agree if you put that team out against Man City you might as well stay at home. We have 6000 fans going to the game Zola is not going to put out a second string.rousman 2

Zola will play his best team possible against Man City. I should imagine that the likes of Murray, Nosworthy and Geijo will come on with 30 mins to go if we are 2/3 up against Charlton.
We need a win today and we need to test our best side against Man City.
We've had a week off prior to the Brighton game so I don't see any real rotation till the following Championship game.

Zola will play his best team possible against Man City. I should imagine that the likes of Murray, Nosworthy and Geijo will come on with 30 mins to go if we are 2/3 up against Charlton.
We need a win today and we need to test our best side against Man City.
We've had a week off prior to the Brighton game so I don't see any real rotation till the following Championship game.DuffmanWFC

The Pozzo's make their money from selling star players, though it's unlikely for this window, this game gives a good opportunity to showcase what we are all about
After a couple of dodgy results Mancini will get hammered if City lose to us so I think they will also be close to full strength.

A packed stadium, plenty of them neutrals that will cheer us on ... I can't wait.

The Pozzo's make their money from selling star players, though it's unlikely for this window, this game gives a good opportunity to showcase what we are all about
After a couple of dodgy results Mancini will get hammered if City lose to us so I think they will also be close to full strength.
A packed stadium, plenty of them neutrals that will cheer us on ... I can't wait.Bringe